DESERT WILLOW
Chilopsis linearis
Plant Description
Desert Willow is a deciduous small tree or large shrub having long (6-12 inches), narrow leaves with airy foliage casts with a funnel-shaped blossom. This tree has a slender, twisting trunk and a spreading crown. Desert Willow trees can get 15-20 feet tall and have trumpet-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance. Blooms range in color from light pink to light violet. They have a scaly bark and narrow and papery pods hang decoratively. They also have alternate willow-like leaves and hairy or sticky slender brown twigs.
The violet-scented flowers are replaced by slender seedpods by early autumn and are a good, drought tolerant solution that can tolerate arid conditions. Because of the long beautiful flowering period, it is one of the best small native trees of Texas and has become a popular native plant for residential gardens.
Plant Details
- Pros: Ornamental blooms, drought tolerant
- Cons: Slightly irregular form, requires well drained soil
- Deciduous
- Size: 15-20' height
- Light: Full sun
- Bloom Color: Pink, white, lavendar
- Fall Color: None
- Water Needs: Low
- Similar Plants: Chitalpa